Army trainee dies in Tarlac; hazing suspected

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - Four training staff members at Camp O Donnel, in Capas, Tarlac have been put in a stockade after the mysterious death of candidate soldier Josephus de la Rosa on January 31. De la Rosa fainted while training and never woke up. Autopsy findings revealed bruises on his thighs and back. The 23-year-old Army trainee was declared dead on arrival at hospital in Tarlac due to ruptured lungs and liver. Philippine Army spokesperson Romeo Brawner Jr. said Thursday that "the whole training staff has been replaced and we have asked the Capas Philippine National Police to help in the investigation." De la Rosa was at the height of survival training when he expired. “They were in the middle of several physical activities," Brawner said. Light armor division commandant Samuel Narcise has likewise been relieved. Brawner said that initial findings point to negligence on the part of the officers. De la Rosa's remains were flown back to Cagayan after a viewing at Philippine Military Academy here at the request of his father, a Master Sergeant and Scout Ranger. Brawner said full cooperation of the Army is assured. “If a crime was committed, we will not hesitate to give the culprits up to the police," he said. PMA information Chief Lynette Agnes Flores said: “We cannot issue comments on the death of the cadet De la Rosa as he is not part of PMA." Flores clarified, however, that De la Rosa's remains were just brought at PMA. “He did not train here," she said. - Maria Elena Catajan, GMANews.TV